Home and Garden Decor

Co-founder of The Hidden Gem (and my dear husband), Dan Smith has an eye for repurposing. A lifelong tendency to keep everything "just in case" has evolved into "I wonder what I can make out of this!"

His dream of woodwork came true with the purchase of our new house. He immediately saw potential in large trees that had grown too big and too close to the house. With the help of our favorite tree trimmer, we now have a great show piece for the yard and LOADS of raw materials for woodworking. 

A few of his more recent wood pieces.... So CUTE, Right?!

Dan also has a knack for seeing how something used, old, or out of date can be remade into something beautiful! Lamps into bird feeders, bottles into outdoor lighthouses, and chandeliers into yard decor are just some of his more recent repurposing projects. Check them out below!

I could not complete a post about his work without mentioning his love of landscape! Our new house offered many opportunities for him to flex his landscaping muscles (both figuratively and literally). Unfortunately, I don't have any "before" photos, but let's just say it was a mass of overgrown shrubs. Here's what he's been able to accomplish in the few short months of our Michigan summer.

I look forward to seeing what else he comes up with. His mind is always looking forward. You can see his work up close at our shop in Flint Township! 

Author

Amanda Smith, Co-founder of The Hidden Gem